Electric switch



Dec. 22 1925- 1,566,292

.D. N. THOMPS ON ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 26. 1922 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,566,292 PATENT OFFICE.

DON N. THOMPSON, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO PASS 86 SEYMOUR INC.

OF SOLVAY, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed Itay 26,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Don N. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Electric Switch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches, and has for its object a switch which is particularly simple, compact and economical in construction; readily mountable on a face plate or other support; and highly efficient and durable in use. It consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an elevation of this switch.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, the contiguous part of a supporting wall or face plate being also shown.

Figure 3 is an inner face view of the base.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 44, Fig. 1, having the supporting plate in plan.

This switch comprises generally, a base having a pair of contacts spaced apart, a movable switch member rotatably mountable in the base and having yielding terminals for coacting with the contacts and an operating member for the switch movable into and out of engagement with the switch member upon a rotary movement of the operating member, and a cover for the base in which the operating member is supported and by which the switch is attached to a wall, face plate or other support.-

1 designates the base which is formed of insulation and here shown as cap shaped. 2 are the contacts mounted on diametrically opposite walls of the base.

3 designates the switch member which is rotatably mounted in the base, it being here shown as a floating switch member, that is, it is held and guided in the base by reason of the engagement of its terminals with the contacts or with the walls of the spaces between the contacts.

The switch member here illustrated comprises yielding terminal arms 4 and an intermediate transverse or diametrically extending portion 5, the switch member here illustrated being formed of a singlestrip of metal bentZ-shaped in general form,'the

1922. Serial No. 583,881,

or rear ends with respect to the direction of rotation of the switch mechanism, and also preferably, the advance ends of the faces 6 of the walls between the contacts are located farther from the axis of the switch member than their ends. That is, the contacts 2 and faces 6 curve slightly toward the axis of the switch member.

The base is also formed with cam faces 7 and 8 from the rear ends of the contacts 2 and faces 6 respectively with respect to the direction of rotation of the switch member 3, the switch member being rotatable to the right. This arrangement of the contacts 2 and faces 6 causes the switch arms to be tensioned so that when the ends of the switch arm reach the cam faces, said arms are by reason of their tension and the incline of said faces, given a quick break and make or snap action in case the operator releases the handle of the switch too soon so that arcing is prevented.

The contacts 2 are provided with projections as cars 9 to which the service wires 1.0 are connected, these projections being here shown as lying in recesses 11 formed in the bottom of the base, and the wires as extending through the bottom. A suitable washer 12 of insulation is placed on the bottom of the base to cover the recesses 11.

13 is the operating member for the switch, it being here shown as comprising a body having a shank 14 of insulation, the body bcing metal having an axial recess in its inner end into which the shank '14 extends and to which it is secured by indenting as at 15. The shank 14 extends beyond the end of the body into the base and is provided with means for-detachably engaging the switch member 3 by-an axial movement of the operatin member 13.

As we shown, the shank 14 is formed with a diametrically extending slot 16 in its inner end which forms said end bifurcated and the bifurcated end is arranged astride the transverse portion of the Z-shaped switch member. v

The operating member 13 is also provided with a handle 17 at its outer end, this handle threading on a reduced s em 17*. 18 is a washer of insulation slidably mounted on the operating member and resting on the top of the base 1 closing the top of the recess enclosed by the base.

19 is a cap enclosing the base and having a top wall 20 provided with an upwardly extending neck 21 in which the operating member is journaled, the neck being preferably riveted t0 the top wall at 22.

As illustrated, the top wall is formed with outwardly projecting flan es or lugs 23 lying against the periphery of t e neck. The neck is also formed with an internal annular shculder24 at its upper end against which a shoulder on the operating-member thrusts to prevent outward movement of the operating member and the head or handle 17 of the operating part thrusts against the outer end face of the neck.

25 is a nut threading on the neck against the plate 26 on which the switch is supported. the nut having an annular recess 27 for recei ing the lugs 23 or the ends projecting through the plate 26. Usually, a lock nut or ring 28 also threads on the neck against the nut 25.

The plate 26 is in most instances thin sheet metal as brass, and it is oftentimes a cover or canopy. In applying the switch to the plate or canopy a circular hole 26 is cut in the plate or canopy for receiving the neck 21, the hole having diametrically opposite notches 26 for receiving the lugs 23. When the nut 25 with the annular recess 27 is screwed down on the plate, the lugs prevent undue warping and bending of the plate, especially when the ends of the lugs strike the bottom of the annular recess 27.

Preferably, the cap entirely encloses the base. The cap is locked to the base in any suitable manner, here shown as by a key 29 extending diametrically through openings 30 in the cap and lying in the diametrical groove 31 in the bottom face of the base.

In assembling, the switch member 3 is placed in the base 1 on the washer 12, the iandle 17 of the operating member 13 removed and the body of the operating member inserted into the neck 21 from. the interior of the cap 19, the nuts 25, 28 secured on the neck and the head or handle 16 secured onto the stem 17 of the operating member 13.

To attach the switch to the plate 26 or other support the head or handle 16 and nuts 25, 28 are removed, and the neck 21 of the cap 18 in which cap the base is assembled is inserted through the opening 26 in the plate 25, the lugs 23 also extending through the notches 26*. The nut 25 is then turned on the neck against the plate 26, the lock nut 28 then screwed tightly against the nut 25, and lastly, the handle 16 threaded on the stem 17.

What I claim is:

1. A switch comprising a cup shaped base having contacts on its inner annular wall, a cover closin the open end of the base, a casing enclosing the top and sides of the base and bein open at its bottom, holding the cover of the base in position, a rotary switch member rotatably mounted in the base havin resilient terminals for coacting with said contacts and guiding the switch member in its rotary movement, the switch member having a shank extending through the cover and through the casing, said switch member being removable through the outer end of the cup shaped base upon removal of the base from the casing and the cover from the base.

2. A switch comprising a base, a cap enclosing the base having an opening in its top and an upwardly extending lug, an exteriorly threaded neck secured to the top in said opening, the lug lying along the neck, a switch member movably mounted in the base, an operating member having a shank extending through the neck and connected at its inner end to the switch member, a nut threading on the neck, and having an annular recess in its advance side for receiving the lug, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

'3. A switch comprising a base, a cap enclosing the base having an opening in its top and an upwardly extending lug, an exteriorly threaded neck secured to the top in said opening, the lug lying along the neck, a switch. member movably mounted in the base, an operating member having a shank extending through the neck and connected at its inner end to he switch member, a nut threading on the neck. and having an annular recess in its advance side for receiving the lug, in combination with a supporting plate having an opening for the neck and a notch for the lug, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed m name, at Syracuse, in the county of Onon aga, and State of New York, this 3rd day of May, 1922.

DON N. THOMPSON.

the casing 

